Insight eyes new destinations

Insight eyes new destinations
By admin


Insight Vacations will continue to add product within its core operating regions while expansion into other destinations has not been ruled out.

Managing director Joost Timmer said the operator "is always looking at new destinations" but declined to elaborate.

He agreed that China would be an obvious addition but said "nothing is set in concrete". Establishing its Indian program, which launched last year, was the priority,Timmer said.

"The emphasis has to be on building India as destination and the outer lying areas. The program is doing well, we have significantly added to it this year so we'll aim to build momentum," he told Travel Today. "We see growth opportunities in India."

Insight added stand alone mini tours to Sri Lanka and Nepal in 2013 "following customer feedback". After initially attracting a high repeat rate from Insight customers the 2013 program is attracting a new client base, Timmer said.

Elsewhere, Timmer said it will expand its core operating regions with Spain and Portugal a likely focus.

"There are some other destinations we are looking at but nothing we can share at this stage," he added. "Special interest and custom tours will also continue to be a focus. For our agency partners it helps them differentiate the competitive space.

"They are one-off tours but with multiple departures. It's now a sizeable part of our business."

Timmer also flagged the need to work with the cruising sector, adding that increasing numbers of customers are combining a cruise with a coach tour.

Meanwhile, sales for its European winter program are around 20% up on last year. Timmer flagged the rise in 35 to 49-year-olds travelling in winter as "great to see".

Latest News

  • Aviation

Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash

It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]

  • Attractions

SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024

AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]

  • Cruise

Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales

Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]

  • Technology
  • Travel Agents

Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy

Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]